A MAN who had stacks of equipment and materials capable of producing more than 1,000 illegal DVDs a day from a Kent holiday park could spend years in prison.

The 34-year-old was arrested last weekend on suspicion of producing counterfeit DVDs, but has been bailed to Sittingbourne Police Station pending further inquiries.

A caravan park in Plough Road, Minster, near Sheerness was the destination for officers from the Island Neighbourhood Team and FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) to execute a warrant.

The officers seized 14 DVD burners, a colour printer along with 20 boxes of DVD cases, blank DVDs and a large quantity of DVDs ready for sale.

Raymond Leinster, FACT director general, said: “Film piracy across the UK is a crime that is attracting those who wish to pursue a criminal lifestyle and make substantial profits from their illegal activities. We would like to thank Kent Police for their continued endeavours to target those engaged in such activities.”

Sgt Neil Kimber, of the Island Neighbourhood Team, said: “We will attempt to promote a feeling of protection to local retailers of the Isle of Sheppey.

“The illegal sales of counterfeit goods have financial implications for those who are trying to make an honest living.

"People engaged in these counterfeiting offences, quite often, do not realise that all the offences carry a sentence of 10 years imprisonment.”